Isle of Wight police officer pleads not guilty to misconduct

A police officer has pleaded not guilty to misconduct in public office for allegedly failing to immediately release from custody a man who was “unlawfully arrested.”

Constable James Martin, of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police, appeared at Winchester Crown Court on Friday where he denied the offence.

Judge Paul Dugdale adjourned the case of the 35-year-old Shanklin man to appear in court on October 6, 2025.

Releasing the accused, who is on the Isle of Wight, the judge told him: “You will remain on unconditional bail.”

A spokesman for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police said after Mr Martin was charged that he had been assigned to “specified duties”.

She said: “An officer from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police has been accused of misconduct in a public office.

“PC James Martin has been charged following an incident in December 2022 which resulted in the wrongful arrest of a member of the public.

“Constable Martin allegedly failed to take immediate action to release the man from custody once he discovered that the arrest was unlawful.”